Accessing The Hells as a mortal is a complex and dangerous endeavor, governed by stringent rules and insurmountable barriers. The infernal realms, structured in layers with Tyrannus as the gateway, are nearly impregnable for the living. However, those determined or desperate enough can find ways to navigate these treacherous paths.
The most direct route to The Hells for a mortal is via the bridge that connects Sheol to Tyrannus. This bridge, however, is heavily guarded by a formidable legion of devils. These guards are unyielding in their duty, allowing no living mortal to pass through. Their mandate is clear: only the souls meant for damnation may cross into The Hells.
Despite the strict guard, there exists a sliver of hope for mortals wishing to cross – the Keeper of the Bridge. This devil, known for its cunning and love for bargains, holds the authority to grant passage to living mortals. However, securing the Keeper's favor comes at a steep price. Mortals must engage in perilous negotiations, often involving soul-binding contracts or tasks that border on the impossible. The Keeper's agreements are notoriously twisted, with clauses and conditions that favor the infernal party.
For those seeking alternative routes into The Hells, a fundamental rule exists: all entry points lead to Tyrannus, the first layer. Regardless of the intended destination within The Hells, any form of portal, teleportation, or plane-shifting used by mortals will invariably deposit them in Tyrannus. This layer acts as a funnel, ensuring that all traffic, both inbound and outbound, is strictly controlled and monitored.
Experienced travelers are aware of this rule and often choose known locations within Tyrannus as their entry points. Randomly appearing in Tyrannus can be fatal, as parts of this layer are exceedingly hostile or heavily guarded. Choosing a specific, known location provides a modicum of control and planning for the journey ahead.
There are exceptions to these stringent regulations. Certain artifacts imbued with infernal power, envoys dispatched directly from The Hells, and the Lords of the infernal layers themselves possess the ability to travel directly to their designated layer or any layer of their choosing. Deities, too, with their immense power, can bypass the standard entry protocols, moving freely between the layers of The Hells.
In conclusion, accessing The Hells as a mortal is a feat fraught with danger and bound by rules that favor the infernal. The guarded bridge from Sheol, the mandatory entry through Tyrannus, and the few exceptions to these rules form a complex system designed to control access to this realm of eternal damnation. Mortals venturing into these depths must be prepared for treachery, harsh negotiations, and the ever-present risk of losing more than they bargained for.
In the infernal hierarchy of The Hells, souls are not just spiritual entities; they are the very currency that fuels the dark economy. This system, intricate and ruthlessly efficient, operates on the premise of souls being represented by coins, embodying both the value and the fate of the souls they represent.
This doctrine of infernal currency forms a crucial part of the cosmology of The Hells. It is a system that chillingly quantifies the value of souls and weaves them into the very fabric of infernal society, reflecting a dark mirror of mortal world economies where wealth and morality are often in complex interplay.
In the intricate hierarchy of the infernal realms, a unique and enigmatic group exists - the Nine Tempters. Each layer of the hells and demonic planes is home to nine such beings, chosen and empowered by the ruling entity of their respective realms. These Tempters are not just any fiends; they are the elite, handpicked for their exceptional abilities in manipulation, seduction, and persuasion.
The selection of these Tempters is a process shrouded in mystery and dark rituals. Each ruler, be it a Devil Lord or a Demon Lord, personally selects these nine from countless aspirants. The chosen are not only the most proficient in their specific form of temptation but also exhibit an unwavering loyalty to their master and their realm’s ethos.
The rulers bestow upon these chosen ones enhanced powers and abilities, making them far superior to their peers. This empowerment ceremony is often a grand spectacle in the infernal courts, with other fiends watching in a mixture of awe and envy. The newly anointed Tempters are then given their mandates – to venture forth into the mortal plane and ensnare souls.
The primary role of these Tempters is to infiltrate the mortal realm and seduce humans into bargains that cost them their souls. Each Tempter embodies the core sin or vice of their layer, making them the perfect instrument to exploit those specific human weaknesses. They are the bridge between the mortal desires and infernal machinations.
The Tempters operate with a degree of autonomy rarely seen in other fiends. They can traverse the planes at will, often appearing in the mortal world in disguise. Their true forms are usually concealed, revealing themselves only to those they deem worthy or necessary to ensnare.
In mortal folklore, the Nine Tempters are often subjects of terrifying tales and cautionary stories. They are the shadowy figures in myths that bargain for souls at crossroads, the seductive voices that lead the mighty to ruin, and the whisperers who turn brother against brother. Their infamy is spread wide across cultures and histories.
Mortals, however, rarely know of the precise hierarchy and structure behind these beings. To them, these are the agents of evil, the unseen puppeteers, and the ultimate personification of their fears and desires.
Among the denizens of the hells, the Nine Tempters are both revered and feared. They are the chosen instruments of their rulers' will, walking both the mortal and infernal planes with a purpose. Their successes and failures are often seen as a reflection of their ruler's power and influence.
The selection of a new Tempter is a significant event, often leading to fierce competition and intrigue in the infernal courts. Being chosen as one of the Nine is not only a great honor but also a path to immense power and influence in the infernal hierarchy.
In conclusion, the Nine Tempters of each layer form a crucial part of the infernal machinery, weaving their rulers' will into the tapestry of mortal destinies. They are the heralds of temptation, the elite agents of seduction and corruption, playing an eternal game for mortal souls.
| Layer | Theme | Ruler | Tempters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrannus | Oppression and Tyranny | Zagan | Legisfer | Gateway to The Hells, marked by strict order and control. |
| Avaricia | Greed and Material Exploitation | Pyxata | Aurigrex | A realm where insatiable desire for wealth leads to downfall. |
| Mendacium | Deceit and Manipulation | Cozen | Falspeak | Every truth is twisted, and every promise is a lie. |
| Malicor | Brutality and Violence | Ustura | Cruorbrute | Endless conflict and suffering, a test of strength and endurance. |
| Invidia | Envy and Jealousy | The Arbiter | Enviaras | Desire turned venomous, where wanting more means losing all. |
| Loftile | Pride and Arrogance | Kian | Superbrix | A fall awaits those who deem themselves above others. |
| Erosmire | Lust and Obsession | Buuna Moc | Luxuriae | Unbridled desire leads to ruin, in a realm of twisted pleasures. |
| Gula | Gluttony and Excess | Edaxius | Gluttorex | Where indulgence never satisfies, and hunger is eternal. |
| Anarchos | Chaos and Cowardice | Ta’amah | Chaorix | The deepest layer, where fear rules and order dies. |
Tyrannus, in its essence, is a realm where law and order are not just principles but weapons of control. It is a layer that embodies the perversion of justice and the triumph of tyranny, setting the stage for the diverse and complex nature of the infernal layers that lie beneath it.
In Tyrannus, the air is thick with the weight of authority and the chill of fear. The oppressive might of the law is palpable, and the relentless enforcement of rules is evident in every corner of this layer. It's a realm where hope is scarce, and submission is the only path to survival.
As the gateway to The Hells, Tyrannus plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of the infernal hierarchy. It's the first taste of damnation for descending souls and the last hurdle for those seeking to leave the deeper layers of The Hells.
Tyrannus, being the gateway to the rest of The Hells and a bastion of oppressive order, would have several significant locations and features:
These locations and features emphasize the nature of Tyrannus as a layer steeped in law, order, and oppression, serving as the controlled and controlling gateway to the deeper layers of The Hells.
Avaricia, a realm steeped in greed and material exploitation, exemplifies the sin of avarice in its most extreme form. In this layer, the pursuit of wealth and luxury knows no bounds, and everything has a price.
In Avaricia, the air is saturated with the intoxicating allure of wealth and the sharp sting of envy. The pervasive sense of greed permeates every aspect of existence, fueling a relentless drive for more. It's a place where opulence and squalor coexist in stark contrast, and the constant pursuit of riches overshadows any remnants of compassion or empathy. The incessant sound of coins clinking, deals being struck, and the despairing sighs of the exploited form the symphony of this layer, a testament to the all-consuming nature of avarice.
Avaricia serves as the beating heart of commerce and exploitation in The Hells, embodying the extreme consequences of unchecked greed. It acts as a critical junction where the currency of souls is traded and amassed, influencing the dynamics of power across the infernal realms. As a hub of economic activity and a center of material excess, Avaricia plays a pivotal role in driving the infernal machine, its influence extending far beyond its gilded borders. For those descending through The Hells, it represents the corrupting power of greed, while for those climbing from deeper layers, it offers a bitter lesson in the futility of material obsession.
Mendacium, the realm of deceit and manipulation, is a treacherous plane where illusions and falsehoods reign supreme. This layer thrives on the art of deception, with every corner designed to mislead and betray.
Mendacium is enveloped in an atmosphere of perpetual intrigue and hidden agendas. Every corner of this layer is shrouded in a veil of secrecy and ambiguity. The air is thick with whispered lies and half-truths, creating an environment where certainty is elusive, and trust is a rare luxury. The constant undercurrent of deception makes Mendacium a place of paranoia and suspicion, where even the most straightforward interaction can have layers of hidden meaning. The tension is palpable, as inhabitants are always on guard, trying to unravel the intentions of others while concealing their own.
Mendacium plays a vital role in the infernal hierarchy as the embodiment of deceit and manipulation. Its influence extends across The Hells, shaping the complex web of politics and power plays that define the infernal realms. Mendacium serves as a training ground for devils and demons specializing in the arts of treachery and cunning, making its inhabitants adept at navigating the intricate schemes that pervade The Hells.
As a realm that specializes in deceit, Mendacium also functions as a center for espionage and intelligence within The Hells. Its master, Cozen, and his minions are often involved in gathering information, sowing discord, and manipulating events across the various layers and even in the mortal realms. The layer's intrinsic nature makes it a crucial player in the eternal machinations of infernal politics, where information is power and manipulation is an art form.
In Mendacium, the very concept of truth is malleable, and reality is subject to the whims of those skilled enough to shape it. Its role in The Hells is as complex as its nature, making it a layer where nothing is ever as it seems, and every truth hides a lie waiting to be uncovered.
Malicor, a realm defined by its sheer brutality and unrelenting violence, is the domain where souls who reveled in causing pain and suffering are condemned. This layer is a nightmarish landscape of torment and anguish, where cruelty is not just a practice but a celebrated part of existence.
In Malicor, the atmosphere is oppressive and charged with violence. The constant sound of battle, the cries of the tormented, and the clash of weapons create a symphony of suffering. The air is heavy with the heat of flames and the cold malice of its inhabitants. In Malicor, every moment is a testament to the brutal nature of The Hells, a relentless reminder of the pain that pervades this infernal realm.
Malicor plays a crucial role in The Hells as the embodiment of brutality and violence. It serves as a brutal proving ground for devils, where strength is tested and weakness is punished mercilessly. The layer acts as a deterrent, a horrifying example of the fate that awaits those who delight in causing suffering. As a realm of punishment and training, Malicor contributes to the relentless, warlike nature of The Hells, perpetuating the cycle of violence and torment that defines the infernal realms.
Each of these locations within Malicor – The Dungeons of Despair, The Sulfur Lakes of Fire, The Towering Fortresses of Cruelty, The Fields of Slaughter, and The Citadel of Malicor – plays a pivotal role in the perpetuation of violence and torment that defines this layer. Malicor is a realm where brutality is the norm, and mercy is a concept utterly alien.
Invidia is the unique dividing layer between the realms of Devils and Demons in The Hells, a realm defined by envy and jealousy. Ruled by the mysterious and absolute authority known as the Arbiter, Invidia is a realm where the green-eyed monsters of spite and resentment are not just feelings but tangible forces.
The atmosphere in Invidia is laden with a sense of unending want and pervasive spite. The air is thick with the whispers of covetous thoughts and the echoes of envious desires. It's a place where the success of others is a source of endless torment, and every achievement seen is a reminder of what the souls here can never attain.
Invidia serves a unique role in The Hells as a layer of transition and division between the realms of Devils and Demons. Ruled by the enigmatic Arbiter, its position grants it a peculiar independence from the usual infernal politics. The Arbiter's absolute control within Invidia makes it a layer respected and feared by other infernal entities. The layer itself, embodying envy and jealousy, is a stark reminder of the destructive power of these emotions, serving as both a prison and a mirror to the souls damned by their own green-eyed demons.
Invidia, as a layer of The Hells, serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive nature of envy and jealousy. It is a realm where these emotions are not just internalized feelings but are given a physical and torturous form, creating a landscape of perpetual dissatisfaction and longing. The mysterious Arbiter's absolute control over this layer makes it unique, a place of enigmatic judgment and inescapable truth for the souls damned by their own green-eyed demons.
Loftile, the domain of excessive pride and arrogance in The Hells, is the first layer ruled by demons. It's a realm where facades of grandeur hide the crumbling truth of moral decay and where souls who believed themselves superior suffer under the yoke of demonic oppression.
The atmosphere in Loftile is one of false splendor and underlying decay. The air is filled with the echoes of fallen grandeur and the whispers of broken pride. It's a place where the illusion of superiority is constantly undermined by the reality of degradation and ridicule, creating a space of introspection and despair for the souls ensnared by their own arrogance.
Loftile serves a key role in the hierarchy of The Hells as a realm that exemplifies the dangers of excessive pride and self-aggrandizement. It acts as a cautionary tale for both mortals and infernal beings, showcasing the destructive nature of hubris. As the first layer governed by demons, it marks the transition from the realms of calculated cruelty overseen by devils to the more chaotic and instinct-driven domains of demonic rulers. The layer's focus on the punishment of pride contributes to the overall structure of The Hells, where each sin is met with a fitting and ironic form of eternal retribution.
Loftile, as a layer of The Hells ruled by demons, is a realm that uniquely punishes the sin of pride. Each location within this layer – The Throne of Hubris, The Crumbling Coliseums, The Gardens of False Splendor, The Towers of Overreach, and The Echoing Halls of Mockery – serves to deconstruct the facade of superiority and expose the inherent emptiness of arrogance. This layer teaches a harsh lesson about the dangers of pride, making it a fitting realm for the punishment of the haughty and the conceited.
Erosmire is a layer in The Hells that embodies the punishment for souls who were consumed by excessive lust and obsessive desires in their mortal lives. It is a realm where indulgence is twisted into torment, and desire turns into endless despair.
The atmosphere in Erosmire is charged with a seductive yet unsettling energy. The air is thick with the scent of temptation, yet beneath the surface lies an undercurrent of despair and disillusionment. It's a realm where the pursuit of pleasure leads to a never-ending cycle of longing and regret, and where every indulgence is a step further into a maze of obsession and despair.
Erosmire plays a crucial role in The Hells as the embodiment of the sin of lust. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of giving in to unchecked desires and the destructive nature of obsessive carnal pursuits. As a layer governed by demons, Erosmire marks the transition into realms where chaos and instinct overshadow calculated cruelty. The layer contributes to the diverse tapestry of infernal punishment, where each sin is met with a uniquely tailored form of eternal torment.
In Erosmire, the alluring veneer of desire masks a core of torment and regret. The layer's function as a realm of punishment for the sin of lust is evident in every aspect of its design, from the tantalizing illusions of The Palace of Perverse Pleasure to the despairing depths of The Pits of Depravity. Ruled by Buuna Moc , Erosmire endures as a grim embodiment of the perils that arise from excessive indulgence in carnal desires. Its existence serves as a sobering cautionary tale, a dire warning for denizens of The Hells as well as any mortals who might feel temptation towards such destructive passions.
Erosmire, under the rule of Buuna Moc , is a hellish representation of the dangers of unbridled lust and desire. Each location within the layer – The Palace of Perverse Pleasure, The Labyrinth of Longing, The Pits of Depravity, The Rivers of Regret, and The Chambers of Twisted Fantasies – serves to punish and teach the souls about the consequences of their excessive indulgence, turning their deepest desires into sources of eternal torment.
In Gula, the temptations of excess and the allure of self-indulgence are transformed into perpetual punishments. The layer's function as a realm of retribution for the sin of gluttony is evident in every aspect of its design, from the deceptive opulence of The Palace of Edaxius to the insidious traps of The Den of Addictions.
The atmosphere in Gula is one of perpetual longing and unfulfilled desire. The air is heavy with the scents of lavish feasts and the tantalizing allure of forbidden pleasures, yet beneath this veneer of abundance lies an undercurrent of despair and insatiable hunger. It's a realm where the pursuit of indulgence leads to an endless cycle of craving and regret.
Gula serves a crucial role in the hierarchy of The Hells as the embodiment of the sin of gluttony. It acts as a stark reminder of the consequences of succumbing to excessive consumption and the futility of seeking fulfillment in material indulgence. As a layer governed by a demon, Gula represents the chaotic and instinct-driven nature of demonic realms, contributing to the diverse tapestry of infernal punishment where each sin is met with its uniquely tailored form of eternal torment.
In Gula, under the rule of Edaxius, the layer's design punishes the various facets of gluttony and excessive indulgence. Here are some location ideas that reflect the sins associated with this realm:
In Anarchos, chaos reigns supreme, and the concept of order is but a distant memory. Under Ta’amah's enigmatic rule, the layer stands as a testament to the unpredictability and capriciousness of infernal punishment. It's a realm that both terrifies and fascinates, serving as the ultimate destination for souls lost to the madness of their own actions.
The atmosphere in Anarchos is one of perpetual turmoil and unpredictability. It's a realm where anything can happen, and the unexpected is the norm. The air is filled with the sounds of chaos, from the shifting landscapes to the erratic behavior of its inhabitants. It's a place that disorients and overwhelms, perfectly reflecting the anarchic nature of Ta’amah's rule.
Anarchos serves as the final layer of The Hells, a realm where the boundaries of chaos and order blur. It is the catch-all for souls not specifically aligned with the sins of the other layers, making it a diverse and tumultuous place. As the boundary between the structured tyranny of the upper layers and the utter chaos of the lower depths, Anarchos plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of terror and punishment within The Hells.
These locations in Anarchos are designed to be antithetical to those in Tyrannus, emphasizing the layer’s embrace of chaos and disorder. Each site serves as a chaotic reflection of its counterpart in Tyrannus, embodying Ta’amah’s rule of unpredictable and unrestrained chaos.